By Desire Tshuma
Chinhoyi — ZANU-PF opened its 23rd National People’s Conference in Chinhoyi on Monday after business leaders raised US$9.5 million for the gathering at the inaugural President’s Ball.
The fundraising dinner was held on Saturday night, 10 October 2026, at the Hippodrome in Braeside, Harare, and was organised to fund the six-day conference, which runs from 12 to 17 October at Chinhoyi University of Technology.
ZANU PF national resource mobilisation committee chairperson Phillip Chiyangwa confirmed to this publication that the dinner exceeded expectations. The party had set a target of US$6 million, but raised US$9.5 million, exceeding the target by US$3.5 million.
The six-day conference is running under the theme “From Resolutions to Results: Consolidating Economic Development and Deepening Economic Empowerment Towards Vision 2030.”
Delegates from across the country are in Mashonaland West to assess progress towards Vision 2030, the government’s plan to attain upper-middle-income status by 2030, and to set priorities for agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism and infrastructure.
The US$9.5 million raised ahead of the conference has raised expectations.
Chinhoyi itself has seen road rehabilitation, hostel renovations and upgrades to water and sanitation in preparation for the delegates. Residents hope the improvements will be sustained after the conference leaves town.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to address the conference and set the tone on economic empowerment, investment promotion and the need for the party and government to work with business to expand production.